1.   Brewer said the area still ranks far behind other areas.

2.   By both accounts, the Kansas City area now ranks higher in this dubious distinction than it did during the civil rights movement.

3.   CYBERCHALLENGE FOR MAGAZINES A computer work area may not rank with a Barcalounger by the fireplace as a favorite place to read long, thoughtful articles.

4.   The area ranks second only to New York in the number of black-owned firms, according to SBA data.

5.   The area has long ranked high in violent crime, largely attributed to a flourishing drug racket that infests much of Washington Heights.

6.   The Boston area ranked about fifth in most categories.

7.   The Boston metropo area ranked well in many of those categories.

8.   The area ranks near the bottom in the nation for health and economic indicators like infant mortality rates, housing starts, bank deposits and nutrition.

9.   The metro area ranks even higher in pay and opportunity for high tech workers.

10.   The Chicago area ranked fifth in terms of foreign sales last year behind Detroit, New York, San Jose and Los Angeles.